Banana trappers!

[comoha]

So I've been taken lately with this pattern: banana trappers. I'm sure the nickname comes from their swooping handle shape and large size. They are definately not for EDC, as both of mine, a Camillus-made A.G. Russell and a Remington R1253 repro are both 5 3/8" closed with a 4 1/2" locking blade. These two make for great camp knives and will fillet a fish with ease. But don't take it to the mall.

I would like those in the know to school me on this pattern's history and post any banana-t's they have. I know Bob Cargill of Cripple Creek fame made some fine examples of these. I've even seen some original Remingtons on the big auction site and man, can they fetch a large sum.
One manly pattern...chime in gang.

 

[Sword and Shield]

Hey, that Rem looks familiar!

 

[wagglebee]

Corey, who made the lower one? I can't make it out.

 

[jacksterp]

Corey, who made the lower one? I can't make it out.

I believe it's an AG Russell?

 

[wagglebee]

I believe it's an AG Russell?

Thanks.

 

[Morrow]

I believe it's an AG Russell?

Made by Camillus.

 

[jacknife]

Banana Trappers...Where have they been? I've never heard of them I love the bottom one.

 

[mr.trooper]

What distinguishes this pattern from others? Just looks like a large single blade jack to me.

5 3/8" closed is indeed very big, but no bigger than say a CRKT M21. Most mens pockets will still accommodate such a knife. I know I would carry one - but I'm a fan of big single blade jacks be they trappers, swing guards, or toothpicks.

FYI, the Queen 'Utility Knife' is similar in pattern and nearly as large, at 5" closed.

 

[comoha]

Rick Menefee makes a nice version of Remington's very rare HTT (Hunter-Trapper-Trader) that is a fine example of a two-blade banana-trapper...

 

[zerogee]

It is indeed a large single blade jack -- but its size and the long curved banana-like handle lend it its specific name (it could also be considered a clasp knife) -- made by several companies early in the 1900s - the size and shape were quite consistent across makers - thus defining it as a distinctive pattern on its own. Case and Winchester also had versions of it. Remington had several slipjoint variants of it also. A 5 3/8" traditional knife with traditional construction is a big, heavy knife -- especially when you have one with two blades. Nothing I would want to try to haul around in my pocket, even with suspenders.

Snagged this from Rick's thread - a two blade banana trapper, though as Corey says, these are better known as the H-T-T:

 

[comoha]

Good stuff Dwight...

 

[Blues]

Here's a 4 1/4" version by Enrique Pena...(reduced from original size at my request):

 

[knarfeng]

I have one banana. A 5" Camillus-made Remington. I bought it for the novelty.

 

[zerogee]

A Valley Forge version of the banana trapper (not mine, sadly) - this one more of a mid-lock and 5 1/8" closed (dang I love that bone):

 

[wagglebee]

Thanks for the pics Dwight and Elliott! Those two by Rick and Enrique are stunning.

 

[zerogee]

An original Remington locking banana bullet (not mine either):

 

[zerogee]

An old Case Bradford lockback version (not mine, sigh):

 

[zerogee]

And a Case Bradford slipjoint version (still not mine ) :

 

[TheSharpStuff]

I thought this was a thread for yeller handled trappers... >8(

 

[cnas122]

Here you go sharpstuff....

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/653293-quot-Yeller-quot-Handles?highlight=yellow

Now back to those fine lookin bananas.